My late grandmother used to say, “The greatest legacy is love.”
It was only after she pretended to be deaf and read the will to her poor children with surprise that they understood what she meant.
I’m Emily and I’m going to tell you about an invaluable lesson my 89-year-old grandmother, Grandma Rosalind, taught me that will change my life forever.
My dad came home a week before Grandma’s 89th birthday looking pale.
“Emily,” he said shakily.
Grandma is in the hospital right now. According to doctors, she lost her hearing.
My whole world seemed to have collapsed. How did it happen? Only yesterday we were giggling over her early stories.
“But… but she was fine!” I protested with tears in my eyes. “We gardened, baked, and…”
Dad pulled me into his arms. “I understand my love. It was a shock. Doctors say it’s normal at her age.”
Despite the diagnosis, we decided to still celebrate Grandma’s birthday.
Deaf or not, she earned it.
Mom added, “We’re going to make it special,” her voice loving and determined.
“How about making a photo album, Emily?
Grandma would love it for sure.
I smiled and wiped away my tears as I helped my mom prepare dinner. “I will, yes, she always liked looking at old photos.
Grandma’s 89th birthday party was in full swing, but something wasn’t quite right. I was looking through Grandma’s photos on my phone when I heard Uncle Bill’s voice.
“I’m going to fight it in court if we don’t get the house. It’s old and stupid now, don’t you realize that?” He looked at his grandmother and hissed.
I was shocked. About Grandma, how could he say that?
Aunt Sarah added, her tone brimming with contempt. “Yes, sir! You can’t believe anything she says. I am very excited to visit her beautiful mansion in Boston.”
What I heard was unbelievable. They were the same individuals who had smirked and hugged Grandma a few seconds before.
“Hey!” My face burning with rage, I shouted. “How can you talk about grandma like that?”
Uncle Bill smiled at me. “You silly little child, hurry up. This is a grown-up conversation.”
I thought Grandma’s eyes would be full of pain. But instead, I saw something else. Was it… laughter?
I shook my head at the thought.
I’m a little relieved that the poor guy can’t hear them. Their harsh remarks would destroy her.
“Are you okay Grandma?” I forgot for a second that she didn’t hear me when I asked.
She smiled and stroked my hand.
When everyone went home later that evening, I saw Grandma sitting in her favorite chair looking out the window.
“Grandmother?” I asked quietly as I walked over to her.
She turned to me which shocked me. “Oh, Emily. Sit with me.”
I caught a cold. “Grandma? Can you hear me?”
She laughed with that recognizable twinkle in her eye. “I know everything, darling. Who declared me completely deaf? I can hear a little.”
My mouth fell open. “But… but at the party… Uncle Bill and Aunt Sarah…”
She sighed, “I know what they said,” “And I know they’re all waiting for me to die.”
With tears streaming down my face, I hugged her tightly. “Grandma, I’m really sorry. They’re awful.”
She wiped away my tears. Don’t cry baby They will never forget the lesson we are about to teach them.
Over the next few days, Grandma and I worked out our plan. After I bought a couple of small recorders, we started documenting the real personalities of our family.
Grandma said, “Remember, Emily,” as we worked. “This isn’t about revenge. The goal is to uncover the truth.”
Although I couldn’t help but feel satisfied at the prospect of revealing their true selves, I nodded.
My heart broke into a million pieces as we recorded more and more hurtful remarks from my aunts and uncles. Their stingy and mocking voices filled the small answering machines:
“I can’t wait for the old bat to kick the bucket.
“You know, maybe we should help her. It’s for her own good.”
“Why didn’t she just die already, God? I have plans for that beach mansion.”
Every word made my stomach turn like a dagger.
I looked at Grandma who was listening and her old hands were shaking a little. Her eyes, which had been so alive and sparkling, now glistened with tears that had not yet been shed.
“How can they be so heartless?” he whispered. “These are your children, Grandma. How can they say such horrible things?”
Grandma squeezed my hand gently like she always did. She whispered, “Oh, my sweet Emily,” her voice breaking.
“Sometimes the people who should love us the most are the ones who hurt us the most.”
Hot tears started running down my cheeks. How could they treat the lady who raised, loved, and cared for them like this? Now they waited for her death, circling like vultures.
“Doesn’t it hurt you, Grandma?” I questioned her.
My late grandmother used to say, “The greatest legacy is love.” It was only after she pretended to be deaf and read the will to her poor children with surprise that they understood what she meant.
I’m Emily and I’m going to tell you about an invaluable lesson my 89-year-old grandmother, Grandma Rosalind, taught me that will change my life forever.
My dad came home a week before Grandma’s 89th birthday looking pale.
“Emily,” he said shakily.
Grandma is in the hospital right now. According to doctors, she lost her hearing.
My whole world seemed to have collapsed. How did it happen? Only yesterday we were giggling over her early stories.
“But… but she was fine!” I protested with tears in my eyes. “We gardened, baked, and…”
Dad pulled me into his arms. “I understand my love. It was a shock. Doctors say it’s normal at her age.”
Despite the diagnosis, we decided to still celebrate Grandma’s birthday.
Deaf or not, she earned it.
Mom added, “We’re going to make it special,” her voice loving and determined.
“How about making a photo album, Emily?
Grandma would love it for sure.
I smiled and wiped away my tears as I helped my mom make dinner. “I will, yes, she always liked looking at old photos.
Grandma’s 89th birthday party was in full swing, but something wasn’t quite right. I was looking through Grandma’s photos on my phone when I heard Uncle Bill’s voice.
“I’m going to fight this in court if we don’t get the house. It’s old and stupid now, don’t you realize?” He looked at his grandmother and hissed.
I was shocked. About Grandma, how could he say that?
Aunt Sarah added, her tone brimming with contempt. “Yes, sir! You can’t believe anything she says. I am very excited to visit her beautiful mansion in Boston.”
What I heard was unbelievable. They were the same individuals who had smirked and hugged Grandma a second ago.
“Hey!” My face burning with rage, I shouted. “How can you talk about grandma like that?”
Uncle Bill smiled at me. “You silly little child, hurry up. This is a grown-up conversation.”
I thought Grandma’s eyes would be full of pain. But instead, I saw something else. Was it… laughter?
I shook my head at the thought.
I’m a little relieved that the poor guy can’t hear them. Their harsh remarks would destroy her.
“Are you okay Grandma?” I forgot for a moment that she didn’t hear me when I asked.
She smiled and stroked my hand.
When everyone went home later that evening, I saw Grandma sitting in her favorite chair looking out the window.
“Grandmother?” I asked quietly as I walked over to her.
She turned to me which shocked me. “Oh, Emily. Sit with me.”
I caught a cold. “Grandma? Can you hear me?”
She laughed with that recognizable twinkle in her eye. “I know everything, darling. Who declared me completely deaf? I can hear a little.”
My mouth fell open. “But… but at the party… Uncle Bill and Aunt Sarah…”
She sighed, “I know what they said,” “And I know they’re all waiting for me to die.”
With tears streaming down my face, I hugged her tightly. “Grandma, I’m really sorry. They’re awful.”
She wiped away my tears. Don’t cry baby They will never forget the lesson we are about to teach them.
Over the next few days, Grandma and I worked out our plan. After I bought a couple of small recorders, we started documenting the real personalities of our family.
Grandma said, “Remember, Emily,” as we worked. “This isn’t about revenge. The goal is to uncover the truth.”
Although I couldn’t help but feel satisfied at the prospect of revealing their true selves, I nodded.
My heart broke into a million pieces as we recorded more and more hurtful remarks from my aunts and uncles. Their stingy and mocking voices filled the small answering machines:
“I can’t wait for the old bat to kick the bucket.
“You know, maybe we should help her. It’s for her own good.”
“Why didn’t she just die already, God? I have plans for that beach mansion.”
Every word made my stomach turn like a dagger.
I looked at Grandma who was listening and her old hands were shaking a little. Her eyes, which had been so alive and sparkling, now glistened with tears that had not yet been shed.
“How can they be so heartless?” he whispered. “These are your children, Grandma. How can they say such horrible things?”
Grandma squeezed my hand gently like she always did. She whispered, “Oh, my sweet Emily,” her voice breaking.
“Sometimes the people who should love us the most are the ones who hurt us the most.”
Hot tears started running down my cheeks. How could they treat the lady who raised, loved, and cared for them like this? Now they waited for her death, circling like vultures.